Indie rock pioneers Teenage Fanclub have influenced many bands making waves today. On the surface, at least, Diamond Rings wouldn’t be among them. The Canadian pop star produces tunes for the thoughtful club kid, blending neon and camp in buzzy hits like “It’s Not My Party.” However, before he was Diamond Rings, John O’Regan got his start in a post-punk band (The D’Ubervilles), so perhaps the connection isn’t as big of a stretch after all.Continue reading »

This March, we pit 64 Beatles covers against each other in what we call Moptop Madness.

Yesterday’s winners: David Bowie, “Across the Universe” and Booker T. and the M.G.s, “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)”

Round Two continues with two more fearsome battles. You all liked the Black Keys’ “She Said She Said” and Aretha Franklin’s “Eleanor Rigby,” but only one can win. Ditto for Al Green’s “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and Teenage Fanclub’s “The Ballad of John and Yoko.”

Listen to each pairing below, then vote for your favorite. For added sway, try to convince others to vote your way in the comments. Voting closes in 24 hours.Continue reading »

This March, we pit 64 Beatles covers against each other in what we call Moptop Madness.

Yesterday’s winners: David Bowie, “Across the Universe” and Booker T. and the M.G.s, “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)”

For our fifth and sixth matches, we present some heavy hitters. First, it’s a Revolver battle when Chris Eckman of the Walkabouts pits his “Yellow Submarine” against the Black Keys’ “She Said She Said.” Then, Brad Mehldau Trio jazz through “She’s Leaving Home” for over nine minutes while indie pioneers Teenage Fanclub keep it short and sweet on “The Ballad of John and Yoko.”

Listen to each pairing below, then vote for your favorite. For added sway, try to convince others to vote your way in the comments. Voting closes in 24 hours.Continue reading »